Shadows with Tales to Tell - The Grim Islands

What dreams await us in this realm of shadows?

Goreaux

Taken from Thunderscape — the World of Aden, the Goreaux (pronounced Gore-Ox) are a goblin-like race that developed in the foothills and lowlands at the edge of civilized lands. Although they take great offense at the suggestion, it seems that early goreaux society was based around scavenging from other races, and this history continues to have an impact on the psychology of the goreaux today. Often intelligent and cunning, goreaux tend toward scholarly and arcane pursuits, perhaps because of their small stature. One omnipresent trait among goreaux is an intense curiosity that leads them to delve deeply into whatever field they choose for their life’s work, almost to the point of obsession. Goreaux are physically small creatures, making up for their small stature with keen intellect.

Their mindset tends to be dour and unpleasant; as an example of this, many goreaux resent the other races for thinking that their larger size and greater physical power gives some advantage over goreaux. They tend to have open disdain for less intelligent races, especially other goblinoids. Goreaux are short with leathery skin and very little hair to speak of. They have occasionally been mistaken by scholars as reptilian in nature because of the texture of their skin and their generally hairless nature, although older male goreaux tend to grow whiskers on their chins. Many scholars believe that the goreaux are a highly advanced offshoot of the goblinoid races, and thus are related to more primitive peoples such as goblins, hobgoblins, and even orcs. The goreaux find the mere thought of this insulting to their kind.

Goreaux Racial Traits

+4 Intelligence, -2 Strength, -2 Charisma: Goreaux are hardy and possess keen analytical minds, but are physically weak and innately brusque and distant toward others.Size: Goreaux are Small creatures and thus gain a +1 size bonus to their AC, a +1 size bonus on attack rolls, a -1 penalty to their Combat Maneuver Bonus and Combat Maneuver Defense, and a +4 size bonus on Stealth checks.Slow Speed: Goreaux have a base speed of 20 feet.Darkvision: Goreaux can see perfectly in the dark up to 60 feet.Goblin Kin: Goreaux are distantly related to goblins. They have the goblin subtype.Goreaux Combat Training: Goreaux gain a +4 dodge bonus to AC against monsters of the construct type.Keen Mind: Goreaux treat all Knowledge skills as class skills.Golem Mastery: Goreaux are uniquely talented at working with golems. Any construct under the goreaux’s control gains three hit points, or +1 hit point per hit die, whichever is greater, while it is under the goreaux’s control.Mountain Folk: Goreaux prefer to live in cavernous warrens deep in the hills or mountains. Goreaux gain a +2 bonus to Climb checks and may make a 5-foot step in difficult terrain due to rock and stone.Serpent Slayer: Goreaux have a natural antipathy for nagas and goblins, giving them more in common with the faerkin than any goreaux will readily admit. Goreaux with this trait gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls against humanoid creatures of the reptilian subtype.

Alternate Racial Traits

Daylighter: Some goreaux have decided the bright light of surface cities is more to their liking than their traditional warrens. Goreaux with this trait gain low-light vision and a +2 bonus to all Perception checks. This trait replaces darkvision.Highwayman: Many goreaux eschew a formal education and prefer to use their small stature and innate cleverness to pursue careers as bandits or thieves. Goreaux with this trait have a base 30 foot speed and gain a +2 bonus on Stealth checks. This racial trait replaces golem mastery.Natural Arcanist: Goreaux have great innate magical talent. Goreaux with this trait and an Intelligence of 11 or higher gain the following spell like abilities: 1/day: detect magic, unseen servant, and prestidigitation. The caster level for these effects is equal to the goreaux’s level. The DC for these abilities is equal to 10 – the spell’s level + goreaux’s Intelligence modifier. This racial trait replaces golem mastery.Shrewd: Goreaux have a reputation as keen, formidable negotiators. Goreaux with this trait gain a +2 bonus to all Sense Motive and Bluff skill checks. This trait replaces keen mind.